Crypt Thing (Solitary, Stealthy, Construct)
Teleports, 16 HP
Close, Far
Special Qualities: Undead
A crypt thing is a kind of undead guardian that is built to watch over a particular site or object and deal with intruders in a nonlethal manner. The creature appears as nothing more unusual than a skeletal figure in tattered robes. When active, its eyes glow with a fierce red light. A crypt thing exists only to guard, and it typically watches over a religious treasure, tomb, or holy site. It normally waits in an alcove or on a chair provided for it. It speaks Common and is willing to converse with those that do not threaten it while it tries to scare away creatures it thinks are easily cowed.
Instinct: Guards
Teleports hostile party
Loves to talk
Liar
I like it. But – it has hit points, but no damage? Its only “attack” is to teleport the party away?
And talk. And lie.
colin roald And talk. And lie. Yes.
By implication, I suppose there’s usually someplace nearby that you wouldn’t want to be teleported into. And the test of defeating it ultimately becomes “can you do 16 points of damage from surprise?” This sounds fun.
That is one good way to work the monster.
colin roald The theme of Entombed is it is sometimes better to talk, sneak or runaway.
My reading of this doesn’t present it as a combat challenge.
Aaron Griffin Correct
Aaron Griffin The players could suprise it and kill it but why? It only teleports “hostile” parties. I intended it as a pure role playing encounter. Of course, colin roald’s idea is equally valid.
Yeah “Loves to talk” gave it an interesting flavor. Like “Oh hellloooo! It’s been so long since a group of adventurers has come to visit me! How are you? Tell me of the world outside!”
Well, okay, it doesn’t need to be a combat encounter, but it’s guarding something very shiny. 🙂
colin roald Or not.
#thisGMisanasshole
“Ouch guys, that really… OW. Come on!”
You are teleported away.
“Oh hey, welcome back. Sorry about the misunderstanding! We got off on the wrong foot I think. Tell me about yourselves maybe and we ca… OW! WHAT THE HELL?”
Aaron Griffin Exactly. Like the old Monty Python routine: “Nobody ever expects…The Crypt Thing! (or the Spanish inquisition)
Mark Tygart has been teleported away
Aaron Griffin Or maybe Mark Tygart is the Crypt Thing…
How does one determine the teleport location? Is it to another area previously explored, a new location, sealed in a Tomb, back in time as in the weeping angels?
GM’s choice; usually in that dungeon.
Ian Rankine probably a question for the player(s) teleported.
Soul Stigma You can always send them to Cacosca or Rl’yeh. (cue fiendish laughter)
Mark Tygart now that would be…cruel…
Soul Stigma Exactly. Cruel to be fun. I have a lot of Dungeon Starters that can begin with “You were rude to the Crypt Thing and…”
In my head, a Crypt Thing was always this, including puns:
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/blockbusterbuster-erod2010/images/6/6e/450px-CryptKeeper.gif/revision/latest?cb=20130302224516
Teleport onto some spikes, or into a tight little oubliette maybe.
It would also be pretty awesome to have the Crypt Thing as the door guard for the whole dungeon, so the object isn’t to defeat it exactly, but just to get past it. “Stop fiddling with that door, Dave. I’m sorry, Dave, I can’t let you do that.”
Man, I can’t stop thinking about this thing. It would also be awesome if the party befriends Crypt Thing and talks it into teleporting them to places they want to go. “Hey, it’s been great catching up. Think you could send us to Ishak Vast this time?” “Promise you’ll find out what the White Necromancer’s doing with all the snakes for me?” “Will do, buddy.”
colin roald Except he’s a lying liarton, so every time you hang out with him you have to endure his total bullshit.
“Hey, great to see you guys! Man, you know who was just here? Vecna! I shit you not! We, like went to wizarding academy together. You totally should of been here, it would have been epic.”
Jeremy Strandberg Except sometimes he isn’t lying; but when you really need it to be true…(cue evil chuckle).